center stage

Anne of SCENE 1 Narrator 3: Matthew and Marilla Characters Narrator 1: Just north of are getting on in years and have Nova Scotia in the Gulf of decided to adopt a young boy, (main characters in boldface ) St. Lawrence is Prince Edward thinking he can help them Island. On a small, triangular around the farm. On this, a gorgeous summer day, Matthew Narrators 1, 2, 3 peninsula that juts out from that Green Gables island is a community called enjoys a slow drive to the train station in his horse-drawn Matthew Cuthbert, a farmer Avonlea. There are many farms in Avonlea, but the farm we are buggy to greet his new son. When he arrives to find no boy Stationmaster interested in is the one up on in sight, he questions the When an elderly couple decides to adopt a young boy, the hill—the one known as Green Gables. stationmaster. They get the surprise of their lives. , an 11-year-old girl Narrator 2: The proprietors of Matthew Cuthbert: Excuse me, should the 5:30 train be arriving By L. M. Montgomery • Adapted by Bryon Cahill Marilla Cuthbert, Matthew’s sister the farm are an elderly brother and sister named Matthew and shortly? I’m expecting a young Illustrations by Julia Denos Diana Barry, Anne’s friend Marilla Cuthbert. Neither has boy from the orphanage. married or had any children. Stationmaster: The 5:30 train

6 READ April 13 , 2007 April 13 , 2007 READ 7 has been in and gone half an that he cannot tell her that ever happened to me! you know it? know what’s going to happen as if he is about to say some - hour ago. There was only one there has been a mistake. Narr 3: Something like a Matthew: Well, now, she’s a through the day, and there’s so thing. passenger who got off—a little Matthew: I’m sorry I was late. reluctant smile, rather rusty really nice little thing, Marilla. much scope for the imagination. Anne: I think Matthew is lovely! girl. I told her she could wait Come along. The horse is over from long disuse, mellows It’s kind of a pity to send her It’s all very well to read about He is so very sympathetic. He inside, but she informed me in the yard. Give me your bag. Marilla’s grim expression. back when she’s so set on sorrows and imagine yourself doesn’t mind how much I talk. gravely that she preferred to living through them heroically, Anne: Oh, I can carry it. It isn’t Marilla: Well, don’t cry staying. I felt he was a kindred spirit as stay outside. “There was more but it’s not so nice when you soon as I saw him. scope for imagination,” she heavy. I’ve got all my worldly anymore. We’re not going to Marilla: You don’t mean to say really come to have them, is it? goods in it, but it isn’t heavy. turn you away tonight. What’s we ought to keep her! Marilla: Well, you’re both said. She’s a case, I should say. Marilla: For pity’s sake, hold Oh, I’m very glad you’ve come, your name? Matthew: We might be some strange enough, if that’s what Matthew: I don’t understand. We even if it would have been nice your tongue. You talk entirely you mean by “kindred spirit.” are expecting a boy. Anne: Will you please call me good to her. too much for a little girl. to sleep in a wild cherry tree. Cordelia? Narr 3: Anne goes to the sink Stationmaster: Well, you’d better Marilla: Matthew Cuthbert, I Narr 1: Matthew leads Anne to Marilla: Is that your name? believe the child has bewitched to wash the dishes. When she question the girl. I daresay his buggy, and together they is finished, she retreats up the she’ll be able to explain. She’s Anne: Well, no, not exactly, but you! There’s something I don’t ride to Green Gables. For the understand about her. We’ll have stairs to the room in which she got a tongue of her own, that’s entire trip, Anne talks nonstop I would love to be called slept the night before. for certain. Cordelia. It’s such a perfectly to send her back tomorrow. about the beauty of nature all Narr 1: Marilla and Matthew Narr 1: The stationmaster around them. elegant name. Matthew: Well, now, it’s just as you say, of course, Marilla. I’m have a conversation about Anne finishes locking up the ticket Marilla: I don’t know what on and decide that, even though office and walks away. earth you mean. If Cordelia going to bed. SCENE 2 they had originally wanted a Narr 2: Matthew approaches the isn’t your name, then what is? Narr 2: Matthew rises from his boy, they will keep the girl. Narr 2: When Matthew and chair and walks off to his room. girl cautiously. She is a child of Anne: Anne Shirley. But, oh, Narr 2: Marilla calls Anne back Anne arrive at Green Gables, Marilla sits at the table and about 11, dressed in a very won’t you please call me down to tell her the news. short, very tight, very ugly Marilla comes briskly out of the Cordelia? It can’t matter much continues to consider the dress of yellowish gray. She house to meet them. to you what you call me if I’m young girl. ?For pity?s Marilla: Matthew and I have decided to keep you, Anne. wears a faded brown sailor hat, Marilla Cuthbert: Matthew only going to be here a little That is, if you will try to be a and beneath the hat, extending Cuthbert, who’s that? Where is while. And Anne is such an SCENE 4 sake, hold your down her back, are two braids good girl and show yourself the boy? unromantic name! Narr 3: In the morning, Anne of thick red hair. tongue. You grateful. Why, child, whatever Matthew: There wasn’t any boy. Marilla: Unromantic fiddlesticks! goes down to the kitchen to is the matter now? Anne Shirley: I suppose you are There was only her. Anne is a good, plain, sensible join Matthew and Marilla for talk entirely too Mr. Matthew Cuthbert of Green name! Come inside now. We’ll breakfast. Anne: I’m crying. I can’t think Anne: Gables. I’m very glad to see You don’t want me! I much for a why. I am as glad as can be. Oh, figure this all out in the Anne: Perhaps you think it you. I was beginning to be afraid might have expected it. glad doesn’t seem the right morning. doesn’t make any difference to little girl.? you weren’t coming for me, and Nobody’s ever wanted me! I word at all. Oh, it’s something me that you’re not going to keep I was imagining all the things might have known it was all too Narr 1: Anne eats her breakfast much more than glad! me, but it does. However, I am that might have happened to beautiful to last. Oh, what shall SCENE 3 in silence. not in the depths of despair this Narr 3: Anne suddenly pauses prevent you. I had made up my I do? I’m going to burst into Narr 1: That night, Anne sleeps morning. The world doesn’t Marilla: Can you wash the with a serious thought on her mind that if you didn’t come tears! uneasily in the guest room seem such a howling wilderness dishes right? mind. tonight, I’d go down to that big Marilla: Well, there’s no need to while Matthew and Marilla as it did last night. I’m so glad it’s wild cherry tree at the bend and cry about it. Anne: Pretty well. I’m better at Anne: Marilla, do you think I discuss the matter in the a sunshiny morning. But I like climb up into it and stay all looking after children, though. should ever have a best friend Anne: Yes, there is need! You kitchen. rainy mornings really well too. night. I wouldn’t be a bit afraid, Marilla: Well, there certainly here in Avonlea? A really kindred would cry, too, if you were an Marilla: Well, this is a pretty All sorts of mornings are inter - and it would be lovely to sleep won’t be any more children spirit to whom I can confide my orphan and had to come to a kettle of fish! This girl will have esting, don’t you think? You don’t in a wild cherry tree all white around here. You’re problem innermost soul? I’ve dreamed place you thought was going to to go back to the orphanage with bloom in the moonshine, enough, and Matthew is a most of meeting her all my life. be home and found that the tomorrow. vocab don’t you think? people didn’t want you because BEWITCHED: charmed, as if ridiculous man. Marilla: Well, Diana Barry lives Matthew: Yes, I suppose so. Narr 3: Looking into the child’s you weren’t a boy! Oh, this is by magic Narr 2: Matthew, who has been over in Orchard Slope. She’s a glowing eyes, Matthew decides the most tragical thing that has Marilla: You suppose so! Don’t KINDRED: of a similar nature quiet this whole time, looks up very nice little girl.

8 READ April 13, 2007 April 13 , 2007 READ 9 Anne: What is Diana like? Anne: Will you swear to be my a story once about a spring Blythe makes fun of her red Marilla: She is a very pretty girl. friend forever and ever? called that. A dryad is a sort of hair, and Anne makes a vow to And she is good and smart, Diana: How do you do it? grown-up fairy, I think. never forgive him for as long as she lives. which is better than being Anne: We must join hands. Marilla: Well, I just hope you pretty. Perhaps you can call on won’t talk Diana to death. Narr 1: As it turns out, Gilbert is her when she returns from Narr 1: Anne takes Diana’s one of the smartest students in hand. Matthew: Oh, Anne, I heard you visiting her aunt. mention last week that you the school. Anne decides to Anne: Well, I cannot wait to Anne: I’ll say the oath first: I like chocolates, so I got you forever prove that she is more meet her—Diana Barry, my solemnly swear to be faithful to some today. intelligent. best friend! She will see that I my best friend, Diana Barry, as Narr 2: On their walk home am tall and regal, clad in a long as the sun and moon shall ?You?re a from school, Anne confides in gown of trailing white lace. My endure. Now you say it, and put Diana. my name in it. hair is midnight darkness, and strange girl, Anne: I shall never forgive my name is Lady Cordelia Narr 2: Diana repeats the oath. . Fitzgerald. Anne. But Diana: You’re a strange girl, Diana: You mustn’t mind Gilbert Marilla: You’re only Anne of Anne. But I believe I’m going to I believe I?m for making fun of your hair. Green Gables. And it’s much like you really well. Why, he makes fun of all the nicer to be Anne of Green going to like Narr 3: Later, at home, Anne girls’ hair. He laughs at mine Gables than Anne of nowhere tells Marilla and Matthew about you really welbelca.us?e it’s so black. He’s in particular, is it not? her new best friend. called me a crow a dozen times, Narr 1: Anne smiles and runs Narr 1: Matthew extends his and I’ve never heard him apolo - Anne: Oh, I’m the happiest girl out the door to explore the hand and his chocolate gift to gize for anything. Besides, don’t on Prince Edward Island right outside world of her new home. her. Anne smiles at Matthew you think he is handsome? now! Diana is indeed a kindred and then surprises him by spirit! Her birthday is in running to him and wrapping her Anne: Well, I certainly don’t SCENE 5 February, and mine is in March. arms around him. Marilla tries see what that has to do Narr 2: A few weeks go by, and Don’t you think that is a her best to hold back her own with anything. Anne becomes a part of strange coincidence? Diana is smile, but it is a futile attempt. Avonlea. Her imagination carries going to lend me a book to SCENE 7 her away on many occasions. read. She says it’s perfectly SCENE 6 splendid and tremenjusly Narr 3: One night, Marilla is Narr 3: One day, Anne learns exciting. She’s going to show Narr 2: The fall comes, and it is away at a town political func - that Diana Barry has returned me a place back in the woods time for Anne to start school. tion. Anne and Matthew sit from her stay at her aunt’s where lilies grow. Don’t you She walks to school with her together in the living room. house. Anne and Marilla plan to think Diana has got very soulful best friend, Diana. Anne is doing her homework. visit the Barry home so that the Matthew is reading a newspaper. eyes? I wish I had soulful eyes. Anne: What a splendid day, girls can meet. When they I’m an inch taller than Diana. Anne: What way do you vote, arrive, Anne and Diana like Diana! Isn’t it good just to be We’re going to the shore alive on a day like this? I pity Matthew? each other right away. They run someday to gather shells. We outside to play while Marilla the people who aren’t born yet Matthew: Conservative. have agreed to call the spring for missing it. They may have and Mrs. Barry stay behind. Anne: Then I’m a conservative down by the log bridge the good days, of course, but they too. My schoolmate Ruby Gillis Anne: Oh, Diana, do you think Dryad’s Bubble. Isn’t that a can never have this one. Dear says that when a boy is courting you can like me enough to be perfectly elegant name? I read old world, you are lovely, and I a girl, he always has to agree my best friend? am glad to be alive in you. vocab with the girl’s mother in reli - Diana Barry: Why, I guess so. I’m Narr 3: When she gets to school, gion and her father in politics. awfully glad you came to Green OATH: a spoken promise however, Anne’s mood quickly Is that true, Matthew? Gables. It will be jolly to have FUTILE: unsuccessful sours. A boy named Gilbert someone to play with. Matthew: Well, now, I dunno.

10 READ April 13, 2007 April 13 , 2007 READ 11 Anne: Did you ever go courting, standing around outside when A procession of girls follows Marilla: There, there; I’m not Matthew? they begin a game of dares. him. cross. Just try to keep your Matthew: Well, now, I don’t Carrie Sloane dares Ruby Gillis Narr 1: When the girls arrive at head about you from now on. suppose I ever did. to climb a willow tree. Ruby Anne’s home, Marilla is in the does. Then Josie Pye dares orchard picking apples. She SCENE 9 Anne: It must be rather inter - Jane Andrews to hop on her left esting, don’t you think, Matthew? sees them coming, and a stab Narr 3: Anne’s ankle heals, and leg around the garden without of fear pierces her heart. In this Ruby says that when she grows stopping once. Jane does. the months pass quickly. Soon up, she’s going to have ever so moment, Marilla realizes just it is Christmastime. Matthew Narr 1: many beaux on a string and As the dares go round how much Anne means to her. buys Anne the prettiest dress have them all crazy about her, and round, they start becoming Anne: Don’t be frightened, she has ever laid eyes on. She but I don’t think that would be more dangerous. Josie dares Marilla. I was walking on the lavishes Matthew with gratitude too exciting. I’d rather have just Anne to walk on the ridgepole ridgepole, and I fell off. I expect and kisses. of Diana’s house. one in his right mind. I’ve sprained my ankle, but it Narr 1: More time passes. Soon, Diana: Narr 1: Anne, deep in thought, Don’t do it, Anne! You’ll could have been a broken neck! Anne finds herself graduating at is silent for a minute. fall and be killed! Marilla: I might have known the top of her class. She even Anne: There are a great many Anne: I must do it. My honor is you’d go and do something wins a very prestigious award things in this world that I can’t at stake. I shall walk that ridge - foolish at that party! called the Avery Scholarship. understand very well, Matthew. pole, Diana, or perish in the Narr 2: Mr. Barry brings Anne She is at the absolute peak of attempt. If I am killed, you may inside the house. She lies on her happiness and spends the Matthew: Well, now, I dunno as have my pearl bead ring. day reflecting in the orchard I comprehend them all myself. the sofa, and Marilla attends to her. Mr. Barry and the and at Dryad’s Bubble. Anne: Well, I suppose I’ll finish ?I love a book girls leave. Narr 2: In the evening, Anne up my lessons. My friend Jane returns to the farm to find lent me a book I am just dying that makes Anne: Aren’t you very sorry for me, Marilla? Matthew breathing heavily at to dive into. But I don’t dare his work. open it up until I’m through me cry.? Marilla: It was your own fault. Anne: You’ve been working too with my work. But it’s a Narr 2: Anne climbs up to the Anne: And that is why you terrible temptation, Matthew. hard today, Matthew. Why won’t roof and walks along the should be sorry for me. Because you take things easier? Jane said she cried herself sick ridgepole. For a few moments, the thought that it is all my own over it. I love a book that she does fine. But then she fault is what makes it so hard! Matthew: Well, now, I can’t seem makes me cry. loses her balance, stumbles, But what would you have done, to. It’s only that I’m getting old, Narr 2: Matthew lays a hand and falls. She slides down the Marilla, if you had been dared Anne, and keep forgetting to. upon Anne’s shoulder and roof and crashes into a bush to walk along the ridgepole? Anne: If I had been the boy you on the ground. whispers a bit of advice in Marilla: I’d have stayed on good, originally sent for, I’d be able to her ear. Diana: Anne, are you killed? firm ground and let them dare help you so much now and Matthew: (whispering) Don’t ever Oh, Anne, dear, speak just one away! Such absurdity! spare you in a hundred ways. I word to me and tell me you could find it in my heart to wish give up your romance, Anne. A Anne: Oh, Marilla. You have aren’t killed. I had been, just for that. little of it is a good thing. Not such strength of mind! Oh, I am too much, of course—but do Anne: No, Diana, I am not killed. an afflicted mortal. Please don’t Matthew: Well, now, I’d rather keep a little of it, Anne … keep But … ouch … my ankle. Oh, be cross with me, Marilla. have you than a dozen boys, a little of it. Diana, please find your father Anne. And it wasn’t a boy who and ask him to take me home. vocab received the Avery Scholarship, was it? It was a girl—my girl— SCENE 8 Narr 3: BEAUX : boyfriends Diana runs off to get my girl whom I’m proud of. Narr 3: One day, Diana has a her father. She returns with RIDGEPOLE: The highest timber on a roof party. Anne and a couple of him, and he lifts Anne and Narr 3: Matthew smiles his shy other girls from school go to carries her in his arms all PRESTIGIOUS: having a highly smile at Anne and then walks honored reputation Diana’s house. They are all the way to Green Gables. back to the house. Anne takes

12 READ April 13, 2007 April 13, 2007 READ 13 .

the memory with her back to D each other and cry deep into N A L the night.

her room. She sits at her open S I

window for a long time, D R Narr 2: A The next day comes

thinking about her past and W D and goes. The mourning E Montgome Wilson knows she has big

dreaming about her future. She E

C process takes its toll. But life

N ry’s Anne shoes to fill. “I will, of course, will always remember the I R goes on at Green Gables. The P of Green try to be true to the astonishing silvery, peaceful beauty and , R L.M. joys of sincere work, worthy E Gables, published in 1908, character that Lucy Maud fragrant calm of the night. N R aspiration, and congenial O begins with the orphaned Montgomery created,” she C

K friendship lie before Anne.

R child’s arrival at Canada’s says. “For this, I am grateful to

SCENE 10 A

P Nothing is going to rob her , Prince Edward Island. But her. But I would not—in fact, M

Narr 1: The next morning, Anne U of her bright fancy or her ideal

E what was Anne Shirley’s life could not—presume to tell my S I

walks into the kitchen to find U world of dreams.

M like before she came to live part of Anne’s history in

Marilla helping Matthew into S E

L with Matthew and Marilla Montgomery’s voice. I will do

a chair. B A

G Cuthbert? A treat lies in store this in my own voice, hoping N

Marilla: Matthew—Matthew— E for fans who have always that she would approve of the E R

what is it? Matthew, are G longed to find out. project if she were alive today.” F

you sick? O

E Just in time for the 100th Ultimately, fans will be the N N

Narr 2: Anne runs to get the A anniversary of the publication judges of this forthcoming E

doctor. But when they come H of Montgomery’s classic, work. Meanwhile, Montgomery’s T F

back, it is too late. Matthew O Penguin Canada has commis - family has placed its stamp of Y S

is gone. E sioned award-winning Canadian approval on this effort. “We T R

U author Budge Wilson to write think [Wilson] is a terrific

Narr 3: The doctor assures them O C that Matthew’s death a prequel. choice,” says Montgomery’s Anne has many more adventures was instantaneous and probably Before Green Gables, to be grandson David Macdonald. in L. M. Montgomery’s classic painless. But the knowledge published in 2008, will tell the “It’s an added bonus that … novel . does not ease Anne’s or story of Anne’s experiences in Wilson, like Anne, comes from It is the first of seven books in Marilla’s pain. In the evening, foster homes and an orphanage. Nova Scotia. I think my grand - a series. Read them all! Marilla and Anne huddle It will also introduce readers to mother would have thought it together for strength. Write About It her parents and to the people appropriate for an author who who opened Anne’s eyes to the grew up in Nova Scotia to write Marilla: Oh, Anne. My girl—my ?Oh, just let me cry, Marilla. girl whom I’m so proud of. magic of words and literature. about Anne’s life before she Anne Shirley lives in the rural, “Given the appalling depri - came to Prince Edward Island There, there. Don’t cry. It can’t The tears don?t hurt as much small-town world of 1906. bring him back. vation and emotional starva - and Green Gables.” as the ache.? Suppose you could transport her tion of Anne’s years in the Anne: Oh, just let me cry, to your own place and time— good and kind and sweet—but harsh with you, but you [foster homes] and during her Marilla. The tears don’t hurt using that old sci-fi standby, four agonized months in the as much as the ache. Just stay it’s not her sorrow. She’s mustn’t think I didn’t love you a time machine. How would orphanage, one is mystified as here a little while, and keep outside of it, and she couldn’t as much as Matthew did. I she react to your world? want to tell you now, when to how she became the person your arm around me. I can’t come close enough to my Write a short story in which I can. It’s never been easy for she was when she made her cry to Diana about it. She’s heart to help me. It’s our you bring the teenage Anne of sorrow—yours and mine. me to say things out of my first journey to Green Gables,” 1906 to your school. Include Oh, Marilla, what will we heart, but at times like this, it’s says Wilson. “How could she vocab dialogue that sounds true to N

do without him? easier. I love you as dear as have become so vibrant a O MOURNING : a period of time her manner of speaking. S D

if you were my own flesh and person, … so articulate , so R reserved for grief and sorrow Marilla: We’ve got each other, Then send your story to us at A H

blood, and you’ve been my optimistic, so full of extrava - C I

ARTICULATE : having a clear, Anne. I don’t know what I’d [email protected] . We’ll R

joy and comfort since you gant dreams? This was the L expressive manner of speaking; do if you weren’t here—if E post our favorites on our blog, B eloquent I came to Green Gables. enticing puzzle that drew me E

you’d never come. Oh, Anne, WORD, at readandwriting.com . H

ENTICING : tempting, tantalizing into the project.” N Narr 1: Anne and Marilla hold A I know I’ve been strict and I R A M 14 READ April 13, 2007 April 13, 2007 READ 15